English Cocker Itching

Question
Hi,My Louie is 2yrs old. for the last 2 months he is itching like crazy. He has developed some pink/red fingertip blotches and has some scabby areas which I think are from the constant scratching. We live in Egypt so the vets aren't the best. Is there anything you can suggest we can try to help him?


Answer
Louie has a skin infection and needs antibiotics...BUT...here's what your vet needs to do:

 Use tape or scrape to analyze cells to determine if this is yeast or bacteria.

If it's bacteria he should use Keflex (Cephalexine) at a dose of 500mg. 2x daily for a month.

If it's yeast - use Fluconazole for a month.

With skin infection you treat way, way past resolution or it'll bounce right back.

Topical approaches are also important.  See if you can find some Nizoral shampoo (most supermarkets/drugstores have it).  Lather him up - leave on 10 to 15 minutes - rinse and rinse, then rinse more.
Do this 3 days in a row - then every 2nd day.  That kills both yeast and bacteria.

It the red blotches and scabs are confined to one area you can use some 1% hydrocortisone cream IF he can't lick it.

The itching can be helped with an oatmeal soak.  Aveeno makes it.
Comes in a box with packets of powder.  You dissolve one packet in the bathtub (warmish water) and soak the dog for 10 minutes.  If Aveeno is not available - tell the Druggist you want 100% colloidal oatmeal powder and see what's available.

I'm also wondering if this is a response to fleas.  What do you use for flea and heartworm control?

Call around to vet offices near you and ask "Does the doctor use tape or does he use a scrape method to analyze a skin condition?"
If they don't know what you're talking about - move on.
Delores